Vehicle Display Window Truncation for Driver Attention Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicles require an intuitive and efficient operating system to minimize driver distraction while allowing operation of various devices and information retrieval without diverting attention from the road, as the complexity of modern vehicle systems necessitates a unified and simplified control interface.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a touchscreen display area where a fully displayed window can be truncated to show only graphical objects, allowing for intuitive operation by highlighting buttons for selection, and expanding the display of associated content when specific buttons are touched, enabling easy navigation through hierarchical menus without changing the window layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple windows with both graphic objects and text fields are fully displayed, then complete information is provided, but driver attention is distracted and operation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddriver attention
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display content is segmented into two types of elements: graphic objects (buttons) and text fields. These are separated in the cropped display mode where only graphic objects are shown, while text fields are hidden. This segmentation allows the interface to provide different levels of information based on the display mode, reducing cognitive load during cropped operation while preserving complete information availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial display action by showing only essential graphic objects in cropped mode rather than displaying all information. The text fields are omitted in cropped mode but remain accessible when the window is fully displayed. This partial action approach ensures that critical operational elements remain visible while non-essential information is suppressed to minimize distraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Ease of operation

If window content is cropped to show only graphic objects, then operation simplicity is improved, but information visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidinformation visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display mode is made dynamic and adaptable. The system automatically switches between cropped mode (showing only graphic objects) and full display mode (showing both graphic objects and text fields) based on operational context. This dynamic adjustment allows the interface to optimize between simplicity and information completeness depending on the current operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The graphic objects serve as intermediaries between the driver and the full information content. In cropped mode, graphic objects provide direct, simple operation without requiring reading text fields. The text fields remain available as a secondary information source when the window is fully displayed, creating a layered information architecture that mediates between simplicity and completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex menus are expanded to show all options, then complete control is provided, but navigation time increases and driver distraction worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol completenessVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The menu structure is segmented into hierarchical levels with graphic objects representing primary navigation options. When a graphic object is selected, the corresponding second window expands to show detailed options. This segmentation allows drivers to access common functions quickly through graphic objects while providing comprehensive control options only when needed, reducing navigation time for routine operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The menu system implements a nested structure where selecting a graphic object in the first window triggers the expansion of a second window with related options. This nested arrangement allows the interface to maintain a compact initial view while providing access to comprehensive control options through hierarchical expansion, minimizing navigation time while preserving complete adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3143483B1Operating method and operating system in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3143483B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3143483B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to an operating method in a vehicle (6), in which at least one first window (10-1) is displayed in full on a display surface (3), wherein the first window (10-1) displayed in full comprises first display contents comprising first graphical objects (12) and first text fields (14). At least one second window (10-2) is displayed in truncated form, wherein the second window (10-2) comprises second display contents which are assigned to the first display contents and comprise second graphical objects (15) or second text fields (17). A first operating action which is used to display the second window (10-2) in full and to simultaneously display the first window (10-1) in truncated form is detected. Finally, the first display contents in the truncated display of the first window (10-1) are reduced such that only the first graphical objects (12) or the first text fields (14) are displayed. The invention also relates to an operating system (1) in a vehicle (6).